Chocolate – french fries to flax seedshttps://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com
Tue, 26 Sep 2017 21:36:13 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngChocolate – french fries to flax seedshttps://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com
Top 10 Posts of 2015 on French Fries to Flax Seedshttps://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/12/31/top-10-posts-of-2015-on-french-fries-to-flax-seeds/
https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/12/31/top-10-posts-of-2015-on-french-fries-to-flax-seeds/#respondFri, 01 Jan 2016 01:27:38 +0000http://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.wordpress.com/?p=25487]]>Here we are, another December 31st! Again, it seems like another year has flown by in the blink of an eye! 2015 has been a busy year – I was able to stay in a job I love for the whole year (even if it was originally supposed to end in March), got a puppy, moved into a new house, made new friends, and had lots of ups and downs along the way. Fortunately 2015 is closing out on a high note, and I’m hoping the ups outweigh the downs in 2016.

I thought I would take a look back at the top 10 most popular posts of 2015 on French Fries to Flax Seeds. It’s always interesting to see which blog posts were the most popular – they have ranged from overnight oats to mac n’ cheese, cookbook reviews to product reviews. So pretty much what the blog is all about! Why not take a trip down memory lane from the year that was!

Well everyone, 2015 has been a slice! Hope you all have amazing, delicious, and safe New Year’s Eve celebrations, and I will see you in 2016!

]]>https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/12/31/top-10-posts-of-2015-on-french-fries-to-flax-seeds/feed/0IMG_0003.jpgMarianneIMG_0019IMG_0029IMG_0022IMG_9858IMG_0003IMG_0031IMG_0054IMG_9863IMG_0011IMG_0039Savour the Tastes of Summerhttps://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/07/16/savour-the-tastes-of-summer/
https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/07/16/savour-the-tastes-of-summer/#respondFri, 17 Jul 2015 00:24:38 +0000http://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.wordpress.com/?p=25328]]>You know why summer is one of the best times to be a foodie? There are so many delicious, healthy, and colourful local fruits and vegetables available – from berries to corn, peaches to zucchini. Not to mention all those great opportunities to enjoy your meals al fresco – think backyard BBQ’s, picnics in the park, or sitting around a campfire. I’ve gathered together a great collection of recipes that just say summer to me. Whether you are looking for a tasty veggie burger or some way to use up all of those cherries, there is something here to tantalize everyone’s taste buds. So go ahead and enjoy the tastes of summer – preferably on a patio or at the beach with friends and family!

]]>https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/07/16/savour-the-tastes-of-summer/feed/0IMG_1412.jpgMarianneIMG_0008IMG_1412IMG_0031IMG_0032IMG_0013IMG_9872IMG_1405IMG_0097IMG_0009IMG_0019Taste Test – CLIF Organic Trail Mix Barshttps://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/06/04/taste-test-clif-organic-trail-mix-bars/
https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/06/04/taste-test-clif-organic-trail-mix-bars/#respondFri, 05 Jun 2015 00:04:38 +0000http://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.wordpress.com/?p=25206]]>I had another mysterious delivery arrive at my door step recently. Well, okay, it wasn’t totally mysterious – I knew it was coming, I just didn’t know what was in it. Which makes it even more fun than any regular ol’ delivery, that’s for sure! So what were the contents of this mysterious package you might be asking? Or not, because you’ve probably also read the title of this post…

Why yes, it was a selection of all of the new CLIF Organic Trail Mix Bars. Not gonna lie – I didn’t even know these were out here in Canada (I’m assuming they were available in the US prior to this). But I was definitely interested in trying them once they landed on my door step, given that they were all chocked full of nuts and chocolate!

So, what have these bars got going for them? Well, they are:

Organic

Gluten Free

Low in sodium

3-4 grams of fibre

4-6 grams protein

180 – 200 calories

Plus they are mostly nut based, making them a nice change from the more homogenous energy bars out there – gives you something to chew on. And did I mention 4 of the 5 flavours have big chunks of chocolate in them? Mmmmm.

I enlisted the help of the boyfriend to try out the flavours, because he’s a likes to take bars to work for easy grab and go snacks. If they are something he would like, they might get added to the shopping list.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Almond

First off, let’s just take a moment to notice all of those chocolate chunks in there. This makes me happy on first glance. And they are paired with cherries? Perfect – one of my favourite combinations. This one had a definitely cherry forward flavour which I enjoyed, and wasn’t overly sweet (which was the case for all of the bars). A nice cherry to chocolate to nut ratio. It made my for a bright spot in my work day which found me driving for 7 hours.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter

I know I’ve said this a million times, but I love chocolate and peanut butter. It is, in my opinion, pretty much the best flavour combination ever. So I had high hopes for this one. I wanted to love it, I really did. But it fell a little flat for me. I felt the peanut butter flavour just wasn’t there. Sure, it tasted like there were peanuts in the bar (and there were), but I didn’t get that peanut butter flavour in every bite, if that makes sense. But – this was the boyfriend’s favourite. So I guess I just have high peanut butter and chocolate standards.

Coconut Almond Peanut

So there is one bar without chocolate, and it is this one hear. I was worried it might fall flat in comparison to the others, but it was delicious, especially if you weren’t in a chocolate mood. I thought it had lots of coconut flavour, but the boyfriend felt it could have had more. I thought the almond flavour also came through well, while I didn’t notice much peanut flavour, but that’s okay.

Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Raspberry

So I totally thought I wasn’t going to get to try this one out. You see, I received 2 of each flavour, so the boyfriend had a set, and I had a set. I took some with me to a conference (including this one), but I couldn’t find it when I was down there. I searched high and low in my bags, but it was no where to be found. But then today at work I was getting something out of my bag, and found it tucked away in a corner. Somehow I had missed it the other 87 times I looked. Anyways, long story short, I’ve tasted it, and now I can give my opinion. I have to say, while the ingredient list does say it has dried pomegranate arils, they didn’t taste like how I thought they would. I would say if the package didn’t say pomegranate on there, I wouldn’t have known that’s what the fruit was. Of course, it doesn’t mean the bar was bad – just not overtly obvious flavour wise. The boyfriend actually liked it though, which was shocking, because he doesn’t like dried fruit. So perhaps having a nondescript fruit in there is a good thing for some people.

Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt

This is another one of those bars where the boyfriend I will have to agree to disagree. This was my favourite – I thought it lived up to it’s name, wasn’t overly sweet, had a good balance of salt without being overly salty, and was just all around delicious. He, on the other hand, thought it didn’t have enough salt to warrant being advertised as a sea salt bar. Perhaps that just speaks to our palates and salt tolerance. But if you like chocolate and almonds, this is the one for you!

Overall, I generally liked all of the Clif Organic Trail Mix Bars – especially because they seem to have an even more favourable ingredient list than their original bars. I thought their size was appropriate for a snack, which is what I generally want in a bar. They had lots of dark chocolate, which never hurts. And it’s nice that they have also made them gluten free, making them an option for many people. I would considering picking these up if I saw them – in fact, my boyfriend has asked me too, especially if they start selling them at Costco. So if you are listening Clif – get these in bulk packs at Costco! Until then, I will just have to look for them at my regular retail locations.

Disclaimer – These products were provided to me free of charge to sample and review. As always, all opinions are my own.

]]>https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/06/04/taste-test-clif-organic-trail-mix-bars/feed/0IMG_9641.jpgMarianneIMG_9637IMG_9639IMG_9640IMG_9644IMG_9641IMG_9642IMG_9643Peanut Butter Cup Smoothiehttps://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/03/26/peanut-butter-cup-smoothie/
https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/03/26/peanut-butter-cup-smoothie/#commentsFri, 27 Mar 2015 01:38:39 +0000http://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.wordpress.com/?p=25091]]>Fact: I love making smoothies for breakfast as much as I love baking muffins. And considering how many muffin recipes I’ve shared over the years on the blog, you know that’s a lot of love!

I am not a morning person, but I do believe that breakfast is an important way to start my day. This is why I love making smoothies so much – in just a few short minutes I’ve turned a bunch of ingredients into a complete meal that I can pour into a travel cup and get out the door. You can turn pretty much anything into a smoothie – fruit, veggies, nuts, dairy, oats, tofu, seeds – which means the flavour combinations are endless. And as long as you include some protein, fibre, and healthy fats, you’ll have yourself a breakfast that will keep you energized through lunch.

Over the years, I’ve perfected my go-to breakfast smoothie. I love this smoothie because a) it has peanut butter and chocolate (the best flavour combination ever!), b) includes ingredients that I always have on hand, and c) did I mention it tastes like peanut butter cups? Seriously though, this is a deliciously simple smoothie that even the kids will love, with no added sugars, no need for protein powder, and plenty of calcium, protein, and fibre. Heck, this smoothie is so darn tasty you could even make it for a healthy dessert – and if you use frozen bananas, it will taste like a milkshake. Yum!

Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

serves 1 for a meal, 2 for a snack

Peanut butter and chocolate are a match made in heaven, and now you can enjoy them for breakfast! With bananas, yogurt, and chia seeds, this healthy breakfast could even double for a delicious dessert. And it’s one that the kids will definitely love too!

1 banana, peeled and chopped

1 cup milk, dairy or non (I’m on a cashew milk kick)

1/2 cup plain yogurt, regular or Greek

1 tbsp natural peanut butter

1 tbsp cocoa powder

1-2 tsp chia seeds (use more for a thicker smoothie)

dash of cinnamon

splash of vanilla

1. Combine all ingredients in your favourite blending machine (I love my Blendtec). Whiz around until smooth and creamy. The smoothie will thicken as the chia absorbs some of the liquid.

Note: Looking to up your veggie intake? Baby spinach blends into this smoothie with ease – you won’t even notice it’s there!

What’s your go-to smoothie recipe?

]]>https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/03/26/peanut-butter-cup-smoothie/feed/4IMG_0027.jpgMarianneIMG_0027IMG_0022IMG_0021IMG_0029IMG_0020Whole Grain Banana Chocolate Chip Muffinshttps://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/03/07/whole-grain-banana-chocolate-chip-muffins/
https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/03/07/whole-grain-banana-chocolate-chip-muffins/#commentsSat, 07 Mar 2015 22:44:58 +0000http://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.wordpress.com/?p=25017]]>I’ve said it before, but I’m going to say it again – muffins are my favourite thing to bake! They are so versatile and easy – I can use pretty much whatever I have hanging around the house to create a delicious, and nutritious muffin. I know muffins can get a bad rap, but those are the store-bought, sugar-laden monstrosities that are really just cupcakes without icing. When you make muffins yourself, you get to create something way better.

One of my go-to muffins is a good ol’ banana muffin. Inevitably every time I buy a big bunch of bananas, some of them will get forgotten (maybe on purpose) until they are well spotted or almost completely brown. When that happens, I have no choice but to do some baking – which clearly makes me heartbroken. I often think I will make banana bread, but then I quickly change my mind, and it’s muffins again.

I can never make just straight up banana muffins though – how mainstream! I’ve paired many a flavour with the humble banana before, but my favourite flavour combos have to be banana with peanut butter or banana with chocolate. As you can see, banana and chocolate won out here, because who doesn’t want a chocolate studded muffin? PS – maximize your chocolate dispersion by using mini-chocolate chips. It seems like you have more chocolate than you actually do!

These muffins are great for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. All those little chocolate pockets make them seem like a decadent sweet treat, but the whole grain flour, bananas, minimal added sugar, and flax seeds pack some great nutrition in there as well. I bet even those “discerning palates” won’t notice all the whole grain fibre goodness in here – they are that good.

Whole Grain Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

makes 12 large muffins

Banana and chocolate is a flavour pairing made in heaven! These whole grain muffins come together in a snap, and make a great grab and go breakfast or after dinner treat. They are excellent as is, or spread with a little peanut butter. Yum!

You may have heard – Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. February 14th in fact. It’s true – I saw it on the calendar! You *could* go and spend a whole ton of money on a fancy dinner out, and a gift of flowers, chocolates, or something else that will probably cost more than it’s actually worth. But if you haven’t already made a reservation, why not treat that special someone (or yourself) to a homemade breakfast, dinner, or dessert? Not only will it probably taste better, but I would wager good money that whoever you cook for will appreciate the gesture more than any dinner you could possibly have out at a restaurant.

And to help you out, I’ve gathered 14 Valentine’s Day worthy recipes to treat your sweetheart with this weekend. From date night dinners to indulgent chocolate treats, pretty pink to ruby red, there is bound to be something to tickle your fancy. So break out a bottle of wine, some candles, and your fancy dishes and make a meal to remember this February 14th.

]]>https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2015/02/12/14-eats-to-treat-your-sweetheart-this-valentines-day/feed/0IMG_0047.jpgMarianneIMG_0001IMG_1384IMG_0032IMG_0012IMG_0028IMG_0033IMG_0052IMG_0040IMG_0030IMG_0016IMG_0047IMG_0013IMG_1392IMG_0022Top 10 Posts on French Fries to Flax Seeds of 2014https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/31/top-10-posts-on-french-fries-to-flax-seeds-of-2014/
https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/31/top-10-posts-on-french-fries-to-flax-seeds-of-2014/#commentsThu, 01 Jan 2015 00:43:26 +0000http://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.wordpress.com/?p=24801]]>It’s December 31st – can you believe it?! I know that it seems like this past year has flown by, which I’m sure I say every year on this day. So much has happened since January 1st, 2014 – I moved to Prince George, have taken on a few different dietitian roles, I’m a year older, and of course I’ve had lots of great eats to share with you on the blog. While I already posted a little life update a few weeks ago, I thought I would take a look back at the top 10 most popular posts on French Fries to Flax Seeds of 2014. It’s always interesting to see which blog posts were the most popular – they have ranged from green smoothies to apple pie, cookbook reviews to product reviews. Which sums up my blog pretty well, don’t you think? Why not take a few minutes to check out my countdown before the big countdown to 2015 tonight!

Well everyone, 2014 has been a slice! Hope you all have amazing, delicious, and safe New Year’s Eve celebrations, and I will see you in 2015!

]]>https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/31/top-10-posts-on-french-fries-to-flax-seeds-of-2014/feed/4IMG_0052.jpgMarianneIMG_0006IMG_0022IMG_0014IMG_0049IMG_0021IMG_0019IMG_0026IMG_0011IMG_0052IMG_0033Birthday Boy Chocolate Beer Cupcakeshttps://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/23/birthday-boy-chocolate-beer-cupcakes/
https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/23/birthday-boy-chocolate-beer-cupcakes/#commentsWed, 24 Dec 2014 00:38:20 +0000http://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.wordpress.com/?p=24771]]>So I had mentioned in my last post that I made that deliciously sweet and sticky Chocolate Beer Caramel Sauce as part of my boyfriend’s birthday treat. You may have even seen little glimpses of that treat in the background of some photos. Enough so that I bet you could even guess what I made. Well, I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. The big birthday treat was…cupcakes!

I know cupcakes were super trendy a few years ago, but they really are a fun thing to make. Something about everyone getting their own individual little cake, that is socially acceptable to eat without a knife and a fork just seems so fun. And honestly, it was a great way to avoid serving cake to people at his birthday party – just put out the cupcakes and let everyone enjoy.

I kept the cake itself totally simple – just a rich, chocolately wacky cake. Never heard of wacky cake? It’s a rather ingenious way of making a really great tasting cake without any eggs, butter, or milk. It’s thought to have come about during World War II, when thing like eggs and butter would have been scarce. It makes for a great tasting moist chocolate cake that is also suitable for vegans. Since I had some leftover beer from the caramel, I added that to the cake batter instead of just water. Can’t let any of that go to waste! And then I went ahead and topped my vegan cake with a so-not-vegan white chocolate cream cheese icing,followed by that delightful beer caramel drizzle. Not only did they look to-die-for, they tasted pretty amazing too. Textures, flavours, presentation – it was all good. And perfect for the craft beer enthusiast’s birthday…and another Christmas party I went to a week later.

Birthday Boy Chocolate Beer Cupcakes

makes 24 cupcakes

Two kinds of chocolate, cream cheese, and your favourite craft beer come together to make a sinfully delicious cupcake. Perfect for the beer enthusiast in your life, or anyone who loves decadent sweet treats.

4. Slowly add icing sugar until well incorporated and icing is light and fluffy.

To assemble:

1. Using either a piping bag or knife, spread icing on top of each cupcake. Drizzle with beer caramel. Enjoy!

Notes: Feel free to use either all beer or all water in your cake batter. If you are feeling fancy, pipe a small amount of beer caramel into the centre of each cupcake.

What would be your ultimate birthday dessert?

]]>https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/23/birthday-boy-chocolate-beer-cupcakes/feed/3IMG_0020.jpgMarianneIMG_0001IMG_0003IMG_0020IMG_0021Chocolate Beer Caramel Saucehttps://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/20/chocolate-beer-caramel-sauce/
https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/20/chocolate-beer-caramel-sauce/#commentsSat, 20 Dec 2014 23:22:57 +0000http://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.wordpress.com/?p=24761]]>Over the past few years, my wonderful boyfriend has opened my eyes to the amazing world of craft beer. For years, I swore I did not like beer. Probably because I had only ever tried the mass produced, tasteless crap. But he was a budding craft beer fanatic when I met him, and eventually curiosity got the best of me, and I tried a few. And then a few more. And then we found ourselves going to craft beer festivals, while he took up home brewing with one of his good friends. Soon enough we were searching out all of the unique brews we could find. It’s an amazing world out there for craft beer – so many different styles and flavours to try. And while I don’t think I will ever find love for the bitterness of an IPA, I have come to appreciate many different styles. Not surprisingly, some of my favourites are the dark, full bodied porters and stouts.

When his birthday came around last month, I wanted to make a treat for the party we were having. And I knew I wanted to find a way to incorporate one of the many bottles of beer from our ever growing collection (we often joke that our fridge represents us perfectly – full of vegetables and beer). Then I remembered having a fabulous beer caramel pie from Home Sweet Home a while back, and knew that was what I was going to make.

Now, you can use any beer you want for a beer caramel, but I wanted this to pack a serious flavour punch, so I chose a chocolate pumpkin porter from a local BC brewery (Parallel 49 in Vancouver, BC). If you pick a lighter tasting beer, your caramel will be mostly flavoured from the sugar, butter, and cream, and not from the beer, and really, what’s the point in using the beer then, right? And this one was a great choice – it made for a rich, dark caramel, with hints of chocolate, balanced out with the slight bitterness that all beers have. Not only was it tasty on our birthday party treats, but it makes for an amazing ice cream topping.

I also imagine it would be great on waffles, crepes, drizzled over pumpkin pie, mixed into coffee or hot chocolate, spooned right into your mouth…let your imagination go wild! It’s fairly easy to make – you just need to pay attention so you don’t burn the caramel. I recommend having a candy thermometer, as it makes it so much easier – and gives you a reason to make candies and fudge as well! And if you are still looking for some last minute gift inspiration, why not make a batch for that beer lover on your list? Because trust me, it is beer lover approved.

Chocolate Beer Caramel Sauce

makes about 2 cups

Craft beer is amazing for drinking, but also great for culinary delights. Turn your favourite chocolate porter or stout into a jar of sticky, sweet, delicious beer caramel. Drizzle over cake, ice cream, waffles, or in your morning coffee – the possibilities are endless. You’ll wonder what took you so long to get experimenting with beer in the kitchen!

1 bottle (341 mL or 12 oz) chocolate porter or stout

2 tbsp butter

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the beer to a gentle boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until it has reduced to 1 cup, approximately 10 minutes.

2. Add the butter and brown sugar, and cook until thick and syrupy, approximately 10 – 12 minutes. Only stir the mixture if it looks like it’s going to boil over. If you are using a candy thermometer, it should be at the soft ball stage (240 degree F or 115 degrees C). Otherwise to test for doneness, drop a small amount into cold water, and if it forms a soft ball, it’s done.

3. Slowly stir in the cream and cook until it thickens, approximately 5 minutes.

4. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla and salt. Allow the caramel to cool, then transfer to a jar. Will keep in the fridge indefinitely.

Note: The quality of your caramel will be greatly influenced by the quality of your beer, so splurge on some good stuff. And feel free to experiment with other flavours/styles of beer. An espresso stout would be great, as would any fruit or spiced dark beer.

Are you into craft beer? What are some of your faves? Any good beer recipes? Oh yeah, and stay tuned for the recipe for those birthday treats you might have noticed in the photos.

]]>https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/20/chocolate-beer-caramel-sauce/feed/2IMG_0018.jpgMarianneIMG_0014IMG_0007IMG_0011IMG_0018IMG_0010A Taste of the Holidayshttps://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/05/a-taste-of-the-holidays/
https://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.com/2014/12/05/a-taste-of-the-holidays/#commentsSat, 06 Dec 2014 00:38:37 +0000http://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.wordpress.com/?p=24669]]>We’re finally into December, my tree is decorated, and the snow continues to fall on an almost daily basis. My culinary thoughts have definitely been holiday baking – shortbread, butter tarts, chocolates and more! I’m not sure what festive treats I might actually have time to make this year, especially considering we are flying home for Christmas, which kind of limits what I can bring. So to help me get in the holiday baking mood, I’m rounding up some of my favourite festive recipes on the blog. Hopefully it will also help you find your Christmas culinary inspiration as well!